Banknote receipt and payout apparatus

ABSTRACT

Provided is a banknote receipt and payout apparatus which handles several denominations, having a banknote loading and collecting function, and which is capable of handling several denominations. A banknote receipt and payout apparatus comprising a receipt and payout opening for paying out banknotes introduced thereinto by a user, and for stacking therein banknotes to be delivered to a user, a banknote checking part for checking banknotes, a banknote storage and discharge bin for carrying one or both of storing and discharging of banknote notes, a loading and collecting bin  8  for loading and collecting banknotes, and a transfer path for transferring banknotes, wherein the banknote storage and discharge bin is of a vertical type in which banknotes are stacked in a horizontal posture, and the loading and collecting bin is of a horizontal type in which banknotes are stacked in a standing posture.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a banknote receipt and payoutapparatus for using receipt bank-notes as payout banknotes.

RELATED ART

[0002] These years, there has been a growing need for handling banknotesin various foreign currencies in domestic areas and cash throughautomatic teller machines in oversea areas and so forth. Accordingly, ithas been being necessary to handle not only Japanese yen banknotes butalso foreign banknotes, that is, it has been being demanded to increasethe number of denominations of banknotes to be handled.

[0003] For example, as prior art, JP-A-11-110607 discloses aconfiguration capable of handling several denominations of banknotes.

[0004] This configuration of prior art incorporates a mechanism portioncomposed of a receipt and payout opening, a temporary storage bin, abanknote checking part and the like, and the mechanism portion iscoupled with several banknote storage bins through the intermediary of aloop-like transfer path.

[0005] Further, it also discloses such a configuration that an automaticteller machine is composed of an upper mechanism portion including thereceipt and payout opening, the temporary storage bin and the banknotechecking part, and a safe-like lower mechanism part composed of thebanknote storage bins accommodated in a housing.

[0006] Further, it discloses an automatic teller machine in whichseveral banknote storage bins are arranged, being juxtaposed in the caseof a large number of banknote storage bins.

[0007] The automatic teller machine discloses in the above-mentioneddocument JP-A-11-110607 has such a structure that several banknotestorage bins are arranged being juxtaposed in order to increase thenumber of denominations of banknotes to be handled.

[0008] In order to increase the number of denominations to be handled,the number of banknotes storage bins for storing and discharging thebanknotes must be increased.

[0009] In an automatic teller machine, as disclosed in JP-A-11-110607,in which the banknote storage bins are arranged being juxtaposed, thebanknote storage bins are vertically stacked one upon another as thenumber of denominations to be handled is increased. In other words, theoverall height of the teller machine and the height of the receipt andpayout opening become higher, as a result, there would be raised suchproblems that the teller machine can hardly be installed, and that themanipulatablility of the teller machine becomes worse. These problemsare caused such a fact that the banknote storage bin is formed of asidelong type banknote cassette in which banknotes are stacked in astanding posture.

[0010] Meanwhile, the loading of banknotes into the teller machine iscarried out in such a way that a loading and collecting bin in which thebanknotes are stacked is mounted in the teller machine, and then thebanknotes are transferred from the loading and collecting bin into thebanknote cassettes. Further, the collection of the banknotes from theteller machine is carried out such a way that the banknotes from thebanknotes cassettes are transferred and stored into an empty loading andcollecting bin which is installed in the teller machine.

[0011] The above-mentioned loading and collecting bin has to handle aplurality of denominations, that is, intermingled banknotes to be storedand discharged, having different sizes. In the case of a verticalloading and collecting bin in which the banknotes are stacked in ahorizontal posture, if banknotes having different sizes are storedtherein, banknotes having a smaller size are not restrained within thebanknote loading and collecting bin, and accordingly, they are stackedin disorder, thereby normal execute operation becomes impossible.

[0012] That is, in order to store or discharge intermingled banknoteshaving different sizes, it is necessary to align the banknotes with oneanother at their one end. Thus, the loading and collecting bin must besidelong so that the banknotes are stacked in a standing posture and arealigned at their lower end.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] An object of the present invention is to provide a banknotereceipt and payout apparatus which can handle a large number ofdenominations of banknotes, which has a function capable of loading andcollecting banknotes and which can accept several denominations ofbanknotes.

[0014] The above-mentioned object can be achieved by a banknote receiptand payout apparatus comprising an receipt and payout opening forcarrying out either or both of payout and stacking of charged banknotes,a banknote checking part for checking denominations of the banknotes, atleast one of banknote storage and discharge bins for carrying out eitheror both of storage and discharge of the banknotes, a transfer pathconnecting the receipt and payout opening, the banknote checking partand the banknote storage and discharge bins to one another, fortransferring the banknotes, and a loading and collecting bin for loadingand collecting the banknotes into and from the banknote storage anddischarge bin, wherein the banknote storage and discharge bin stackstherein banknotes in a vertical direction, and the loading andcollecting bin stacks therein banknotes in a horizontal directiontherein with a standing posture.

[0015] Further, the above-mentioned object can be achieved by theabove-mentioned loading and collecting bin which can be pulled out fromthe banknote receipt and payout apparatus.

[0016] Further, the above-mentioned object can be achieved by banknotestorage and discharge bins having a number corresponding to a number ofdenominations of banknotes to be handed, and arranged being horizontallyjuxtaposed.

[0017] Further, the above-mentioned object can be achieved by theloading and collecting bin which can be taken out from the banknotereceipt and payout apparatus, longitudinally thereof.

[0018] The present invention will be detailed in the form of preferredembodiments in order to facilitate the understanding of the inventionwith reference to accompanying drawings. However, the technical conceptof the present invention should not be limited to these embodiments, butcan be changed or modified with the scope defined by the appendedclaims.

[0019] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the embodiments of theinvention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020]FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating an automaticteller machine to which the present invention is applied;

[0021]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control mechanism in theautomatic teller machine to which the present invention is applied;

[0022]FIG. 3 is a sectional view illustrating a banknote receipt andpayout apparatus;

[0023]FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a control mechanism in thebanknote receipt and payout apparatus incorporating an embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 5 is a section view illustrating the banknote receipt andpayout apparatus during receipt operation in an embodiment;

[0025]FIG. 6 is a section view illustrating the banknote receipt andpayout apparatus during receipt operation in an embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 7 is a flow chart for receipt operation in an embodiment;

[0027]FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a banknote receipt andpayout apparatus during payout operation in an embodiment;

[0028]FIG. 9 is a flow chart for payout operation in an embodiment;

[0029]FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating a banknote receipt andpayout apparatus during banknote loading operation in an embodiment;

[0030]FIG. 11 is a flow chart for banknote loading operation in anembodiment;

[0031]FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the banknote receipt andpayout apparatus during banknote collecting operation in an embodiment;

[0032]FIG. 13 is a flow chart for banknote collecting operation in anembodiment;

[0033]FIG. 14 is a top view illustrating a loading and collecting binwhich is installed in the banknote receipt and payout apparatus;

[0034]FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating a loading and collecting binduring such an operation that banknotes are stored in the loading andcollecting bin;

[0035]FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the loading and collecting binduring such an operation that banknotes are discharged form the loadingand collecting bin;

[0036]FIG. 17 is a view illustrating a configuration of a stack assistmember;

[0037]FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating the banknote storage anddischarge bin during such an operation that banknotes are storedtherein;

[0038]FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the banknote storage anddischarge bin during such an operation that banknotes are storedtherefrom;

[0039]FIG. 20 is a configuration view illustrating a banknote receiptand payout apparatus incorporating another embodiment;

[0040]FIG. 21 is a configuration view illustrating a banknote receiptand payout apparatus incorporating another embodiment;

[0041]FIG. 22 is a configuration view illustrating a banknote receiptand payout apparatus incorporating another embodiment;

[0042]FIG. 23 is a configuration view illustrating a banknote receiptand payout apparatus incorporating another embodiment;

[0043]FIG. 24 is a configuration view illustrating a banknote receiptand payout apparatus incorporating another embodiment;

[0044]FIG. 25 is a configuration view illustrating a banknote receiptand payout apparatus incorporating another embodiment;

[0045]FIG. 26 is a flow chart for a banknote receipt and payoutapparatus incorporating another embodiment; and

[0046]FIG. 27 is a flow chart for a banknote receipt and payoutapparatus incorporating another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047]FIG. 1 is a view of illustrating an external appearance of anautomatic teller machine in which the present invention is applied.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 1, the automatic teller machine 101 in thisembodiment is composed of a card/slip processing mechanism 101 forprocessing a customer's transaction card or a transaction slip abankbook processing mechanism 103 for processing a bankbook, a housing104, a customer manipulation panel 105 through which data required fortransaction is displayed and inputted, and a banknote receipt and payoutapparatus 1. Reference numeral 106 denotes a main control portion forcontrolling the operation of the banknote receipt and payout apparatus1.

[0049]FIG. 2 is a block diagram which shows a control relationship inthe automatic teller machine 101.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, the card/slip processing mechanism 102, thebankbook processing mechanism 103, the customer manipulation panel 105and the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 106 are connected to themain control portion 106 through the intermediary of a bus 110, and areoperated under the control of the main control portion 106. In additionto the above-mentioned components, an interface portion 107, an operatormanipulation panel 108 and an external storage unit 106 are alsoconnected to the main control portion 106 so as to transmit requireddata thereamong, but detailed description will be omitted. It is notedthat the above-mentioned mechanisms and components are fed with a powerfrom a power source 111.

[0051]FIG. 3 is a configuration of the banknote receipt and payoutapparatus 1 mounted in the automatic teller machine 101, and FIG. 4 is ablock diagram which shows a control mechanism.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the banknote receipt and payoutapparatus 1 comprises a receipt and payout opening 2 for charging anddischarging banknotes, a banknote checking part 3 for determining adenomination of a banknote or checking whether a banknote is true orfalse, a temporary storage part 4 for temporarily storing therein acharged banknote until completion of transaction, a transfer path 5coupling the components in the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1with one another for transferring banknotes, and banknote cassettes inwhich banknotes to be handled in the banknote receipt and payoutapparatus 1 ate stopped. These banknote cassettes are classified in viewtheir roles.

[0053] A receipt bin is a storage bin for banknotes which are determinedto be received therein but not paid out therefrom as being inappropriatefor payout as it is folded or broken. Further, this receipt bin is usedfor receipt of a banknote but do not for payout the banknote such as afive thousand yen banknote.

[0054] If this receipt bin is used for foreign currency banknotes havingdifferent sizes among several denominations, it receives banknoteshaving various sizes. However, it is not necessary to align thebanknotes at its one side end since the banknotes received therein willnot be used as payout banknotes, and accordingly, they may be simplystacked one upon another. Accordingly, this receipt bin may be of avertical type.

[0055] The storage and discharge bins are safes for storing anddischarge banknotes having different denominations, respectively, forreceipt and payout thereof. For example, one of them is for thousand yenbanknotes, and another one of them is for ten thousand yen banknotes orthe like.

[0056] The loading and collecting bin is a safe for carrying out loadingand collection, which is a bank-note cassette for storing anddischarging intermingled banknotes to be handled in the banknote receiptand payout apparatus 1.

[0057] In this embodiment, there are incorporated the receipt bin 6, thestorage and discharge bins 7 and the loading and collecting bin 8, andin the embodiment as shown in FIG. 3, the receipt bin 6 and the storageand discharge bins 7 are banknotes cassettes which are of vertical type,in which banknotes are stored in a horizontal posture. The loading andcollecting bin 8 is a horizontal banknote cassette 7 in which banknotesare stored in a standing posture.

[0058] It is noted that the loading and collecting bin 8 can be slidtoward the left side and the right side in FIG. 3 so as to be taken outfrom the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1. Thus, after completionof service of the automatic teller machine, the operator can take outthe loading and collecting bin 8 from the front part or the rear part ofthe automatic teller machine 101 after banknotes remaining in thereceipt bin 6 and the banknote storage and discharge bins 7 arecollected in the loading and collecting bin 8, and then the operatorkeeps the loading and collecting bin 8 to be in custody at apredetermined place.

[0059] The loading and collecting bin 8 in custody is returned into theautomatic teller machine 101 before a start of the service in the nextmorning, and banknotes are stored in the receipt bin 6 and the banknotestorage and discharge bin 7.

[0060] By the way, domestic automatic banknote teller machines in Japanare designed only for Japanese currency banknotes to be handled. TheJapanese currency banknotes including a thousand yen banknote and a tenthousand banknote have one and the same size in the short sidedirection, and accordingly, the Japanese currency banknotes can bevertically stacked one upon another without being deviated from oneanother even though the loading and collecting bin which holds thereinthem of all denominations is laid vertically.

[0061] However, if oversea currency banknotes are stored in this loadingand collecting bin, the following problem is raised:

[0062] Oversea currency banknotes have different sizes in not only along side direction but also a short side direction, and accordingly,should such oversea currency banknotes be stacked one upon another in avertical loading and correcting bin, banknotes other than those having alargest size cannot be set in position, resulting in occurrence ofproblems of clogging of banknotes and of double discharge during loadingand collection of banknotes.

[0063] Thus, as may be construed, it has been better to banknotes in astanding posture so as to make contact at their longitudinal side with areference surface in the case of the oversea currency banknotes.

[0064] The above-mentioned receipt and bin 6 and the banknote storageand discharge bins 7 are arranged vertically (banknotes are stored beingstacked one upon another). This is because the receipt bin 6 and thestorage and discharge bins 7 are independent from one another amongdenominations.

[0065] The banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1 incorporates, asshown in FIG. 4, a memory portion DB which stores therein acorresponding relationship between denominations and sizes. With theprovision of the memory portion DB, a size of a banknote can bedetermined by checking a denomination of the banknote. The controlportion 9 is connected to the main control portion 106 through theintermediary of the bus 110, and accordingly, the control portion 9controls the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1 in accordance withan instruction from the main control portion 106 and a detected statusof the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1, and transmits a statusof the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1 to the main controlportion as necessary.

[0066] <Receipt Operation>

[0067] Explanation will be hereinbelow made of receipt operation in thisembodiment with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0068]FIG. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the automatic tellermachine during receipt operation.

[0069]FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating the automatic tellermachine during receipt operation.

[0070]FIG. 7 is a flow-chart for explaining the receipt operation inthis embodiment.

[0071] Referring to FIG. 5, banknotes introduced into the receipt andpayout opening 2 are paid out onto the transfer path 5 as indicated bythe arrows. When the banknotes paid out on the transfer path 5 aretransferred in the direction of the arrows, the banknote checking part 3determines denominations and a number of them, and thereafter, thebanknotes are once stored in the temporary storage part 4.

[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the banknotes stored in the temporarystorage part 4 are transferred in the direction of the arrow in thisfigure, and states thereof are checked by the banknote checking part 3.If a banknote to be rejected is present, it is stored in the receipt bin6, but banknotes which are determined to be normal, are stored in thebanknote storage and discharge bins 7, respectively in view of theirdenominations.

[0073] Although the content of the series of the above-mentioned receiptoperation which is shown in the flow chart in FIG. 7 is similar to theexplanation made with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. However, explanationwill be repeated briefly.

[0074] After the banknotes introduced in the receipt and payout opening2 are stored in the temporary storage part 4 after their denominationare checked by the checking part 3. The banknotes from the temporarystorage part 4 is checked in their status, and are stored in banknoteunits respectively in view of their denominations and their status.

[0075] <Payout Operation>

[0076] Next, explanation will be made of payout operation in thisembodiment with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0077]FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating the automatic tellermachine during payout operation.

[0078]FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining payout operation in thisembodiment.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 8, of banknotes stored in the banknote storageand discharge bins 7, those to be paid out are paid out onto thetransfer path as indicated by the arrows. The banknotes paid out on thetransfer path 5 are checked by the banknote checking part 3 so as todetermine denominations and a number of them, and are then transferredinto and staked in the receipt and payout opening.

[0080] Although the content of the series of the above-mentioned payoutoperation which is shown in the flow chart in FIG. 9 is similar to theexplanation made with reference to FIG. 8. However, explanation will berepeated briefly.

[0081] The banknotes discharged from the banknote storage and dischargebins 7 are checked the banknote checking part so as to determine theirdenominations, and are then transferred into and stacked in the receiptand payout opening 2.

[0082] Next, explanation will be made of loading operation in thisembodiment with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

[0083]FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating an automatic tellermachine during loading operation.

[0084]FIG. 11 is a flow chart for explaining the loading operation inthis embodiment.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 10, the loading operation is carried out inorder to replenish the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1 withbanknotes when banknotes are loaded in the apparatus before theautomatic teller machine 101 as shown in FIG. 1 comes into an operation,or when the number of banknotes in the apparatus becomes less onoperation.

[0086] At first, the loading and collecting bin 8 is installed in thebanknote receipt and payout apparatus 1. Then, banknotes are paid outfrom the loading and collecting bin 8, and denominations and statesthereof are checked by the banknote checking part 3. Banknotes whichhave been determined to be normal, are stored in the banknote storageand discharge bins 7, respectively in accordance with theirdenominations, but banknotes which have been determined to be unusable,are stored in a reject banknote storage part 820 in the loading andcollecting bin 8.

[0087] The series of loading operation will be explained with referenceto FIG. 11, banknotes discharged from the loading and collecting bin 8are checked by the banknote checking part 3 as to their denominationsand states, and are then stored in banknote units, respectively inaccordance with their denominations and states.

[0088] Collecting operation in this embodiment will be explained withreference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

[0089]FIG. 12 is a sectional view illustrating the automatic tellermachine during collecting operation.

[0090]FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining collecting operation inthis embodiment.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 12, the collection of banknotes is carried insuch a case that collection of banknotes in the banknote storage anddischarge bins is required, that is, when banknotes are collected fromthe automatic teller machine 101 as shown in FIG. 1, for example, aftercompletion of operation or when the number of banknotes stored in thebanknote storage and discharge bins 7 becomes excessive during operationso that no more banknotes cannot be stored therein.

[0092] That is, banknotes are paid out from the banknote storage anddischarge bins 7, being checked by the banknote checking part 3 as totheir denominations and states, and they are stored in the loading andcollecting bin 8. Next, the loading and collecting bin 8 are removedfrom the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1 so that the collectingoperation is completed. It is noted that the collection of rejectbanknotes stored in the receipt bin 6 is made by directly removing thereceipt bin 6.

[0093] It is noted that there may be used a method of storing banknoteswhich has been set in the receipt and payout opening 2, directly intothe loading and collecting bin 8 by transferring them from the receiptand payout opening 2 by way of the banknote checking part 3 withouttransferring and storing into the banknote storage and discharge bins 7as a countermeasure against such a fact that banknotes are additionallyreceived in the case wherein a number of banknotes stored in thebanknote storage and discharge bins 7 becomes excessive duringoperation, and accordingly, no more banknotes cannot be further storedtherein.

[0094] Further, during the above-mentioned collecting operation orloading operation, by continuously carrying out the operation other thaninstallation and removable of the loading and collecting bin 8 into andfrom the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1, the number ofbanknotes in each of the banknote storage and discharge bins 7 can becounted.

[0095] The series of collecting operation will be explained withreference to the flow-chart in FIG. 13.

[0096] Banknotes discharged from the banknote storage and discharge bins7 are checked by the banknote checking part 3 as to their denominationsand states, and then are stored in the loading and collecting bin 8.

[0097] Next, detailed explanation will be explained of the loading andcollecting bin 8 in this embodiment with reference to FIGS. 14, 15 and16.

[0098]FIG. 14 is a top view illustrating the configuration of theloading and collecting bin 8 adapted to be installed in the banknotereceipt and payout apparatus 1.

[0099]FIG. 15 is a side view illustrating the loading and collecting bin8 in a condition in which banknotes are stored therein.

[0100]FIG. 16 is a side view illustrating the loading and collecting bin8 in a condition in which banknotes are discharged therefrom.

[0101] By the way, in the case of carrying out loading or collecting ofbanknotes, it is required to store several kinds of banknotes, beingintermingled, in a single banknote storage and discharge bin. If thebanknotes have different sizes among their denominations, the loadingand collecting bin 8 which can store therein intermingled banknoteshaving different sizes is required.

[0102] Such a loading and collecting bin 8 is a horizontal banknotecassette in which banknotes are stacked in a standing posture and whichcan store therein banknotes and can separate them from one another andpay out them.

[0103] Referring to FIGS. 14, 15 and 16, a banknote take-in and -outmechanism is composed of stack feed rollers 801, pick-up rollers 811,back-up rollers 802 which carries out driven rotation, gate rollers 803which are rotated in a banknote storing direction but are not in apayout direction, brush rollers 804 which are coaxial with the gaterollers 803 and in which flexible push-in blades are radially arranged,and separation and stack guides 805 whose position is changed betweenseparating operation and stacking operation.

[0104] The stack feed rollers 801 are driven for rotation by a drivesource (which is not shown) through the intermediary of gears so as tofeed banknotes to be stored into a take-in space or to feed banknotes tobe discharged onto the transfer path 5. The back-up rollers 802 arerotated being driven by the stack feed rollers 801 so as to pinch abanknote between themselves and the stack feed rollers 801 in order tofeed the banknote. The gate rollers 803 are rotated being driven by thestack feed rollers 801 when banknotes are stored, but they are notrotated when banknotes are discharged. That is, when the banknotes areseparated from one another and paid out by the pick-up rollers 811 andthe stack feed rollers 801, a banknote adjacent to a banknote to bedischarged makes contact with the gate roller 803 so as to be preventedfrom being paid out following the banknote to be discharged.

[0105] The stack feed rollers 801 and the gate rollers 803 define atake-in slot into the take-in space. That is, during storage of abanknote, when pinching between the stack feed roller 801 and the gaterollers 803 is released, a banknote is unstrained except making contactwith the separation and stack guide 805, and accordingly, the banknoteis taken into the take-in space.

[0106] It is noted that the brush roller 804 have the flexible push-inblades provided only over about a half of its circumferential length.When a banknote is stored, it is rotated in the banknote storingdirection so that the radially arranged flexible blades scrape banknotesstacked in the take-in space so as to be led into a storage space. Whenbanknotes are discharge, the brush rollers 804 are rotated so that theirparts having no flexible blades are rotated to a position where theflexible blades are retracted from the take-in space. Accordingly, theflexible blades do never interfere with banknotes to be dischargedduring discharge thereof.

[0107] Further, the pick-up rollers 811 and the stack feed rollers 801are driven being synchronized with each other, and further, the brushrollers 804 are driven in a direction reverse to that of the stackrollers 801. With this configuration, it is possible to aim at commonlyusing a drive source. It is noted that the brush rollers 804 are coupledto the stack feed rollers 801 through the intermediary of a one-wayclutch so that the brush rollers 804 are not rotated during discharge ofbanknotes. It is noted that the one way clutch is the one which can berotated in one direction, but it cannot be rotated in a directionreverse to the former, and as shown in FIG. 15, it is rotated clockwisebut is not rotated counterclockwise.

[0108] The separation and stack guide 805 serve as a banknote guidesurface on the take-in side thereof so as to guide a surface of abanknote during storing and discharging thereof. When a banknote isstored, the banknote guide surface is located on an extension of atake-in and discharge slot of the take-in and -out mechanism in thebanknote advancing direction. When banknotes are discharged, thebanknote guide surface is retracted up to a position where the banknotesare separated from one another by the pick-up rollers 806 one by one.

[0109] The storage space is defined being surrounded by a bottom panel808, a bottom surface belt 807 which is suspended above the bottom panel808 so as to support the lower ends of stored banknotes, a pusher plate806, the separation and stack guides 805, a top panel 810 and side walls813.

[0110] The attaching positions of the side walls 813 can be adjusted inaccordance with sizes of the banknotes. The width between the side wallsis suitably set to a value which is larger than the widthwise size ofbanknotes by about 2 to 10 mm. Further, the distance between the bottompanel 808 and the top panel 810 is set to a value which is greater thana heightwise length of a banknote having a maximum size.

[0111] The loading and collecting bin 8 is provided with stack assistmembers 812 for guiding the leading end part, as viewed in the advancingdirection, of a banknote to be stored, above the separation and stackguides 805 so as to handle banknotes having different sizes. The stackassist member 812 is controlled by the control portion 9 (shown in FIGS.3 and 4) in accordance with date related to a size of a banknote to bestored.

[0112]FIG. 17 is a view which shows a configuration of the stack assistsmember 812.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 17, the stack assist member 812 is composed ofa roller part 812 a and blade parts 812 b. The stack assist member 812is incorporated so that the outer peripheral surface of the roller part812 a is located on an extension of the banknote guide surface of theseparation and stack guide 805.

[0114] Explanation will be hereinbelow made of the blade parts 812 b.When the blade part 182 b is located in the storage space, the inside ofa bent part of the blade part 812 b and the outer peripheral surface ofthe roller part 812 a define therebetween a take-in space, and theinside of the bent part of the blade part 812 b limits an excessiveadvance of a banknote transferred into the take-in space through thetake-in and -out mechanism.

[0115] The blade part 812 b defines a boundary between the take-in spaceand the storage space. With this arrangement, a banknote which is takeninto the take-in space in a standing posture can be prevented fromfalling down, and is therefore stably stored. Further, banknotes storedin the storage space can be prevented from falling down toward thetake-in space, thereby it is possible to prevent a banknote to be takenin and a stored banknote from interfering with each other.

[0116] The rotation of the stack assist members 812 is controlled so asto set the distance from the take-in and -out slot to the banknote endstopper portion to a length corresponding to a size of a banknote.

[0117] The stack assist members 812 are provided by a plural number inthe widthwise direction of a banknote as shown in FIG. 14, and the upperend of a banknote to be stored is guided at plural positions into thetake-in space. Accordingly, a banknote even having kinking such astendency of curving or folding can be stably stored with no interferencewith a following banknotes.

[0118] A transmission sensor shown in FIG. 15 is composed of a lightemitting element 888 a and a light receiving element 888 b. Since alight beam is blocked by a banknote which is present in the vicinity ofthe take-in and -out slot, and accordingly, it is possible to detect abanknote which is present in the vicinity of the take-in -out slot. Ifthe time by which the light beam is blocked becomes longer during thestoring, the pusher plate 806 is driven so as to widen the banknotestorage space.

[0119] It is noted that a banknote which is determined to be rejected istransferred into by way of the rollers 821 and the brush rollers 822 andis stored in a reject banknote storage part 820.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 16, in order to discharge banknotes from theloading and collecting bin 8, the separation and stack guides 805 andthe stack assist members 812 are retracted away from the storage space,different from take-in operation of banknotes. Stored banknotes arepressed toward the separation and stack guides 805 by the pusher plate806, and then the pick-up rollers 811 are rotated so that the banknotesare discharged one by one from the loading and collecting bin 8 by wayof the take-in and -out mechanism.

[0121] Next, detailed explanation will be made of the banknote storageand discharge bin 7 in this embodiment with reference to FIGS. 18 and19.

[0122]FIG. 18 is a side view illustrating the banknote storage anddischarge bin 7 in a condition in which banknotes are stored therein.

[0123]FIG. 19 is a side view illustrating the banknote storage anddischarge bin in a condition in which banknotes are dischargedtherefrom.

[0124] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, in order to carry out receipt andpay-out of money, it is required to store only one denomination ofbanknotes in a single banknote storage and discharge bin 7. Thisbanknote storage and discharge bin 7 is a vertical cassette in whichbanknotes are stacked therein a horizontal posture, and into and fromwhich banknotes can be stored and discharged.

[0125] The take-in and -out mechanism for banknotes is composed of stackfeed rollers 701, pick-up rollers 711, back-up rollers 703 which aredriven in rotation, gate rollers 703 which are rotated in the storingdirection of banknotes, but which are not rotated in the pay-outdirection thereof, brush rollers 704 which are coaxial with the gaterollers 703 and in which flexible push-in blades are radially arranged,and separation and stack guides 705 whose positions are changed betweenseparating operation and stacking operation.

[0126] The stack feed rollers 701 driven by a drive source (which is notshown) through the intermediary of gears. It feeds banknotes to bestored into a take-in space, and further, transfers banknotes to bedischarged onto the transfer path 5. The back-up rollers 702 are rotatedbeing driven by the stack feed rollers 701 so as to pinch a banknotebetween itself and the stack feed rollers 701 in order to transfer thebanknote. The gate rollers 703 are rotated being driven by the stackfeed rollers 801 when banknotes are stored but are not rotated whenbanknotes are discharged. That is, when banknotes are separated and paidout by the pick-up rollers 711 and the stack feed rollers 701, abanknote adjacent to a discharged banknote is made into contact with thegate rollers 703, and accordingly, it is prevented from being dischargedfollowing the discharged banknote.

[0127] The stack feed roller 701 and the gate roller 703 definetherebetween a take-in and -out slot for the take-in space. That is,when the pinching between the stack feed rollers 701 and the gaterollers 703 is released, a banknote becomes unconstraint except makingcontact with the stack feed rollers 701 and the gate rollers 703, andaccordingly, the banknote is introduced into the take-in space.

[0128] It is noted that the brush rollers 704 incorporate the flexiblepush-in blades only over a half of the circumference thereof in order toenable discharge operation for banknotes. When banknotes are stored, thebrush rollers 704 are rotated in the storing direction so as to scrapestacked banknotes from the take-in space by means of the radiallyarranged flexible push-in blades into the storage space. When banknotesare discharged, the brush rollers 704 are rotated so that the flexiblepush-in blades are retracted from the take-in space. Thus, dischargedbanknotes are prevented from interfering with the flexible push-inblades.

[0129] Further, the pick-up rollers 711 are driven in synchronizationwith the stack feed roller 701, and the brush rollers 704 are driven inrotation reverse to that of the stack feed rollers 701. With thisconfiguration, it is possible to commonly use a drive source.

[0130] It is noted that the brush rollers 704 are coupled with the stackfeed rollers 701 through the intermediary of an one-way clutch, andaccordingly, during discharge of banknotes, the brush rollers are notrotated. Further, the one-way clutch is adapted to be rotated in onedirection but to be not rotated in a direction reverse to the onedirection. The one-way clutch shown in FIG. 18 is rotatedcounterclockwise but is not rotated clockwise.

[0131] The separation and stack guide 705 defines a banknote guidesurface on the take-in space side, for guiding a surface of a banknoteduring storing or discharging of the banknote. During storing of abanknote, the banknote guide surface is located at a position which isalong an extension in the banknote advancing direction from the take-inand -out slot of the banknote take-in and -out mechanism. Duringdischarge of a banknote, the banknote guide surface guides banknotes upto a position where they can be separated one by one by the pick-uprollers 706.

[0132] The storage space is defined being surrounded by a side panel708, a pusher plate 706, the separation and stack guides 705, and amovable side panel 710 and side walls 713.

[0133] The attaching positions of the side walls 713 and the movableside panel 710 can be adjusted in accordance with a size of a banknote.The width between the side walls 713 is suitably set to a value which isgreater than a widthwise size of a banknote by about 2 to 10 mm.Further, the attaching position of the movable side panel 710 issuitably set so that a distance between the side panel 708 and themovable side panel 710 is set to a value which is greater than a size ofa banknote which can be handled in the banknote receipt and payoutapparatus 1 by about 2 mm.

[0134] A transmission sensor is composed of a light emitting element 788a and a light receiving element 788 b. Since a light beam is blocked bya banknote which is present in the vicinity of the take-in and -outslot, it is possible to detect a banknote which is present in thevicinity of the take-in and -out slot. During storing of banknotes, ifthe time by which the light beam is blocked by a banknote becomeslonger, the pusher plate 706 is moved so as to widen the banknotestorage space.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 19, when the banknotes are discharged from thestorage and discharge bin 7, the separation and stack guides 705 and thestack assist members 712 are retracted away from the storage space,different from the take-in operation for banknotes. Stored banknotes arepressed toward the separation and stack guides 705, and the banknotesare separated by the pick-up rollers 711 on rotation, one by one, andare discharged from the banknote storage and discharge bin 7 by way ofthe take-in and -out mechanism.

[0136] Embodiments other than those stated above will be explained withreference to FIGS. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 20, the number of the banknote storage anddischarge bins may be increased in the banknote receipt and payoutapparatus. Thus, the banknote storage and discharge bins 7 can be addedwithout changing the height of the receipt and payout opening.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 21, by arranging the loading and collecting bin8 above the added banknote storage and discharge bins 7, the height ofthe banknote receipt and payout apparatus can be decreased.

[0139] As shown in FIG. 22, the receipt bin 6 and the loading andcollecting bin 8 may be horizontal banknote cassettes, and the banknotestorage and discharge bins 7 may be vertical banknote cassettes.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 23, by arranging the loading and collecting bin8 above the receipt and payout opening 2, the height of the receipt andpayout opening can be decreased.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 24, by arranging the receipt bin 6 and theloading and collecting bin 8 above the added banknote storage anddischarge bins 7, the height of the banknote receipt and payoutapparatus can be decreased.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 25, there may be used even such a configurationthat the direction of the loading and collecting bin 8 is changed so asto reduce the length of a transfer path. With this configuration,banknotes are transferred between the banknote storage bins 7 and theloading and collecting bin 8 by way of the temporary storage part 4 whenloading, collecting or precise motion is carried out.

[0143] Explanation will be made of the stream of banknotes duringloading within the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1 shown in FIG.25.

[0144] At first, banknotes are paid out from the loading and collectingbin 8 onto the transfer path 5. Further, the banknotes paid out on thetransfer path 5 are transferred by way of the banknote checking part 3so as to determine their denomination and a number of them, and are oncestored in the temporary storage part 4. Next, the banknotes stored inthe temporary storage part 4 are determined as to their states by thebanknote checking part 3 whenever it is necessary, unusable banknotesare transferred to and stored in the reject banknote storage part 820 inthe loading and collecting part 8, but banknotes to be stored in thebanknote storage and discharge bins 7 are transferred thereto, andstored therein, respectively in accordance with their denominations.

[0145]FIG. 26 is a flow chart for explaining the stream of banknotesduring unloading in the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1 shown inFIG. 25.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 26, at first, banknotes are paid out from thebanknote storage bin 7 onto the transfer path 5. Then, the banknotespaid out on the transfer path 5 are transferred by way of the banknotechecking part 3 so as to determine their denominations and a number ofthem, and are stored once in the temporary storage part 4. Next, thebanknotes stored in the temporary storage part 4 are determined as totheir states by the banknote checking part 3 whenever it is necessary,and then are stored in the loading and collecting bin 8.

[0147]FIG. 27 is a flow chart for explaining the stream of banknotesduring collecting within the banknote receipt and payout apparatus 1shown in FIG. 25.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 27, banknotes discharged from the banknotestorage and discharge bins 7 are stored in the temporary storage part 4after their denominations and a number of them are determined by thebanknote checking part 3, and the banknotes discharged from thetemporary storage 7 with a suitable timing are determined again as totheir denomination and states, and thereafter, stored in the loading andcollecting bin.

[0149] It is noted that the collecting operation and the loadingoperation may be continuously carried out so as to count a number ofbanknotes in each of the banknote storage and discharge bins 7.

[0150] According to the present invention, the loading and collectingbin is of a horizontal type while the banknote storage and dischargebins are of a vertical type, and accordingly, there can be provided abanknote receipt and payout apparatus which can handle severaldenominations of banknotes, having a loading and collecting function,and which is capable of handling several kinds of denominations.

[0151] It should be further understood by those skilled in the art thatalthough the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of theinvention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes andmodifications may be made without departing from the spirit of theinvention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A banknote receipt and payout apparatuscomprising an receipt and payout opening for carrying out either or bothof payout and stacking of charged banknotes, a banknote checking partfor checking denominations of the banknotes, at least one of banknotestorage and discharge bins for carrying out either or both of storageand discharge of the banknotes, a transfer path connecting the receiptand payout opening, the banknote determining part and the banknotestorage and discharge bins to one another, for transferring thebanknotes, and a loading and collecting bin for loading and collectingthe banknotes into and from the banknote storage and discharge bin,characterized in that the banknote storage and discharge bin stacktherein banknotes in a vertical direction and the loading and collectingbin stacks banknotes in a horizontal direction therein with a standingposture.
 2. A banknote receipt and payout apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, characterized in that said loading and collecting bin can bepulled out in a horizontal direction from the banknote receipt andpayout apparatus.
 3. A banknote receipt and payout apparatus as setforth in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said banknote receipt andpayout bins are arranged in a horizontal direction by a numbercorresponding to. a number of denominations of banknotes to be handled.4. A banknote receipt and payout apparatus as set forth in any one ofclaims 1 to 3, characterized in that said loading and collecting bin canbe taken out from the banknote receipt and payout apparatus in thelongitudinal direction of the latter.